Correlation between plasticity index and methylene blue value to determining soil classification

Abstract

Most soil classification systems developed for geotechnical engineering purposes are based on simple index properties such as grain size distribution and plasticity. In Indonesia, the use of the methylene blue value, VBS, is still rarely used, compared to Atterberg limits that commonly used to determine the value of the plasticity index, PI. Therefore, this study aims to gain a correlation between PI and VBS. Coarse-grained soil with fines (clay and silt) contents varies from 12.36% to 29.45% are used of this study. The linear correlation between PI and VBS produces a linear equation with a coefficient of determination, R2 = 0.854 for 0.62 < VBS < 2.39. The PI obtained from the correlation to VBS that combined with the sieve analysis results can then be used for soil classification based on the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS).